Top Stories

SCHAUMBURG, Ill.—Convergint Technologies recently acquired SI Technologies Inc., a full-service provider of integrated security solutions headquartered in Albany, N.Y., with additional locations in Syracuse and Buffalo, N.Y. The company specializes in strategic commercial customers, with a large presence in the government sector.

LEXINGTON, Ky.—Bates Security LLC, a commercial and residential security company based here with branches in Prestonsburg, Ky., and Jacksonville, Fla., announced the recent acquisition of HITEC Security of Pikeville, Ky. The deal adds more than 600 accounts to its customer base in Prestonsburg, where Bates does business under the ABCO Security name.

Travis Miller joined Alert 360—the new brand name for both Central Security Group and Guardian Security Systems—in October as the vice president of dealer development. “My role coming in is to really help them strengthen their dealer program and grow that channel, while also looking at acquisitions of companies, acquisition of accounts. The company is just aggressively looking to grow over the next three to five years,” Miller said. In late October, Security Systems News asked Miller five questions.

YARMOUTH, Maine—Security Systems News is proud to recognize another class of promising young professionals with its “20 under 40” awards. Among this year’s honorees are professionals from large security companies—including ADT, Securitas Electronic Security and G4S—as well as stand-out end users such as KeyBank, Harley Davidson and the Cleveland Indians.

DAVENPORT, Iowa—Per Mar Security Services, a family-owned, full-service security company based here, announced it has acquired ABC Fire & Burglar Company of Gary, Ind., a residential and commercial security services company with approximately 2,000 accounts.

General News

Poll

With Thanksgiving just around the corner and the holiday season shortly behind, and with companies already planning the budget for 2019, it’s getting time to look ahead at what the new year will hold for the industry. What do you see as top trends for 2019?

How do you see the industry changing next year? *

We’ll see more partnerships/integrations.

The strong M&A activity will continue.

I predict more entrants in the space.

What will be the top technology trend for 2019? *

The increasing role of AI in security.

A continued focus on cybersecurity.

2019 will be the year for analytics.

Which trade show are you most excited about? *

ISC West.

ESX.

GSX.

Please elaborate on your answers and leave your name and contact information for follow-up.